Only the Brave is an epic new musical

about love, friendship and, above all, hope.

 

Following development of over 8 years since the hugely successful Edinbrugh Festival staging 2008, I'm pleased to announce that the first ever fully staged version of this brilliant new musical will be staged this Easter at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.   In a co-production with the WMC, Soho Theatre, Daniel Saprrow Productions & Birdsong Producitons.

 

Starring Welsh musical stars Caroline Sheen (Mary Poppins, Les Misérables) and David Thaxton (Olivier Award winner for Passion, Les Misérables, Love Never Dies), this moving new musical delves into the lives of the men and women who made the most astonishing sacrifices in order to protect their country and provide a better future for those they loved. 

 

Based on the true events leading up to the D-Day landings, Only the Brave follows a group of men embarking on the ultimate mission, the friendship of two women united by love and loss, and the bravery of a young French girl determined to play her part. 

 

In collaboration with the team behind the stunning UK tour of Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong and with an original score by Cardiff born composer Matthew Brind, Wales Millennium Centre is proud to create and première this home-grown musical that will send your heart soaring.

 

Book by Rachel Wagstaff
Music by Matthew Brind
Directed by Steve Marmion
Original concept by Steve Coleman, Matthew Brind & Rachel Wagstaff
Lyrics by Steve Marmion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESS REVEIWS

FROM THE 2008 EDINBURGH FRINGE CONCERT PRODUCTION

 

★★★★

“A TOUCH OF THE WEST END COMES TO THE FRINGE!

…gripping viewing

…STUNNING”

British Theatre Guide 

 

★★★★★

“STUPENDOUSLY POWERFUL AND MOVING …

EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION IS

EXCELLENT”

Edinburgh Guide.com

 

“wonderful moments of intimacy, warmth and humour… 

…REAL POTENTIAL”

Edinburgh Evening News

 

★★★★★

“Had me sobbing from start to finish

more than ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Miss Saigon’ together

… see it while you can before it becomes

THE NEXT GREAT NEW MUSICAL IN THE WEST END"

One4Review.com

 

★★★★

HOT SHOW - The Scotsman

"Catchy songs, an epic storyline based on true events

....FULL OF PASSION

... to be enjoyed for its poweful songs, and promise”

The Scotsman

 

 

"A SOARING SCORE...

..DEEPLY MOVING 

..truly stirring stuff

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN MEETS LES MIZ”

Whatsonstage.com 

 

★★★★

“will move you in spine tingling ways…

IT’S NO SURPISE THAT

THIS SHOW IS ALREADY SELLING OUT”

Three Weeks

 

 

"DEMANDS TO BE SEEN"

Lyn Gardner - The Guardian

(review from 2010 cabaret feat. songs from Only the Brave)

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUDIENCE REVIEWS

FROM THE EDINBURGH FRINGE CONCERT PRODUCTION

 

★★★★★

OTB can move your heart this way – Brett H, Edinburgh – 13 Aug

This is the must see musical theatre production of the 2008 fringe festival! The music is pure luxury to listen to and performed by a large onstage orchestra! … KILL FOR TICKETS TO THIS SHOW AND BE MOVED!

 

★★★★★

ONE TO WATCH - Gillian, UK – 12 Aug

In my opinion, this show is an absolute must for anyone at the Fringe this year. ‘Only the Brave’ combines a truly wonderful score with a compelling story that is both poignant and uplifting. Watching this show, I found myself instantly swept up by the story and became deeply involved with the lives of the characters portrayed. ‘Only the Brave’ really brought home to me the personal tragedy associated with war and the amazing sacrifices that are made in such situations. However, the show is not all doom and gloom. The story is perfectly balanced, incorporating moments of humour and a strong theme of the strength and hope that can be found in others at times of adversity. A truly thought-provoking and inspirational piece of theatre, this show really does deserve to achieve great things and I hope whole-heartedly that some day soon I will be watching the full-length version of ‘Only the Brave’ in a West End theatre.

 

★★★★★

THE BEST SHOW IN THE FRINGE - Gemma, UK – 11 Aug

I loved this show so much when I went to see it that I had to go again the next night! The cast are excellent and there are many moments that are exquisite. Everyone must go to see this - it is simply amazing. I cant wait to see the full show

 

★★★★★

Wonderful ‘Only The Brave’ – Jackie Morgan, UK – 8 Aug

Well, what can I say?! I saw this show a couple of days ago and thought it was one of the best shows I've ever seen.....I thought the cast were 1st class.. streets ahead of most of the other shows I've seen so far this Fringe. I've also been for a return visit where I bought the CD of the music [which has been on a constant loop ever since].. ....Amazing. I thought it was fantastically designed, a simple set that was complimented by strong projections, and wonderful costumes that were so evocative of the time......Hoping to go again before the festival finishes...Well Done to all....you've got one of your first fans!!!! GO AND SEE!

 

★★★★★

Only the Best – Lorraine, Scotland – 8 Aug

We were there last Thursday at the preview and thought the show was quite simply "outstanding". We have now been to a few shows on "the fringe" and "Only the Brave" is in a class of it's own. This show if anything is too good for the fringe and certainly deserves to be at "THE west End".

 

★★★★★

Best Show I’ve Seen so Far– Tara Harvey, UK – 7 Aug

Everything about this production took my breath away. The cast are amazing, particularly Gerard Bentall and Cassidy Janson who sang with such power I sat mesmerised. …the real star of the show is the music. It is truly stunning and moved me to tears more than once. I saw in the programme that this is a shorter version of a full length show, and if this is the case, bring it on-I can't wait to see it! … Go see this, it's a cut above everything else I've seen.

 

★★★★★

fantastic to see something so real!!! – Nadz, Don – 7 Aug

Only the Brave is a must see at the Edinburgh Fringe!! Once I saw it, I was there, at box office buying a ticket for the following day!! This is not a Fringe show, no disrespect to other shows, but this is so classy it feels like a touring or off west end production. The music is so luscious and grand, Matthew Brind's creation is filled with heart and soul, just beautiful. Such a well directed and acted piece …just brilliant!! Special mention for 'Band Of Brothers' and 'The Letter Writers Song' Both gut wrenchingly beautiful. Not a dry eye in the stalls! What an incredible production.

 

★★★★★

Only The Brave – Beth Gough, UK – 5 Aug

An extraordinary show. Difficult to believe you are sitting in a lecture theatre, part of the Edinburgh Fringe. I found this show incredibly stirring. The music is simply beautiful, the dialogue wonderfully economic, compelling, and the staging was simply inspired …The show is bursting with life and potential. The actors are passionate and utterly committed. …This show is an extraordinary achievement. Beautiful to watch, the music soars, the script is extremely strong and very tightly condensed, and the cast a wonderfully bonded band of brothers.